Worship Service, Featuring An Exhortation: "Always Try To Set A Good Example For Other People." - plus much more.

Everything here is in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction.

WelcomeWelcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

InvocationO Lord, we come together in Your name,And as You promised, we know You are here.AND SO WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS,AND PRAY THAT YOU FIND PLEASURE HERE WITH US,AS WE, YOUR LOVING CHILDREN WORSHIP YOU.

We now invite You to reveal Yourself,And share with us Your presence, openly,

FOR YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT WE DESIRE,AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE, WE GIVE TO YOU.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on Matthew 6:9-13

You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on internetchurchofchrist.org/binaries/lordsprayer2.mp3. This MP3 file, and the text on which it is based, are in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction. As always, permission is granted to link to any of our files.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy catholic church; * The communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.

Amen.

* Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of believers in Christ, not just one particular church.

Featured Segment . . .Exhortation"Always Try To Set A Good Example For Other People."A GOOD RULE FOR LIFE . . . "Always Try To Set A Good Example For Other People."

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

You may not realize it, but other people are constantly observing the things that you say and do. On the job, in traffic, among friends, out shopping, everywhere you go you present an opportunity for other people to observe your behaviour. So let yourself become a good example to others, not a bad example.In Galatians, chapter five, Paul lists seventeen things as "works of the flesh" and nine things as "fruit of The Spirit. He says that flesh and Spirit are in conflict. And he urges us to live by The Spirit and not by the flesh.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

All the way my Saviour leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His faithful mercies, Who through life has been my guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him do dwell; For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me strength for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me, O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, In my Father's house above; When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages: "Jesus led me all the way."

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine hearing my voice as I speak it to you. In this way, the prayer is reactivated, and it the same as if I were actually praying for you at that moment. (Just like television prayers are reactivated when you watch them, although the videotape may have been shot years before.)

Perhaps you are a Christian even now, You go to church and try to do your best, You try to put His teachings in your life, But still you do not feel that He is yours. You do not feel the closeness that you crave. If this is you, then say this prayer with me: * * * O Lord, I want you closer in my life, I want you more to be a part of me. I want the best relationship with you, That anyone on earth could ever have. I know that, "as we give, we shall receive," And so I now do give myself to you, In full completeness, holding nothing back. I'm yours, so you may use me as you will, And take whatever things you want from me. And now that I did give myself to you, I pray that you will give yourself to me, As bridegroom gives himself to his new bride. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

How To Find A Real, Live ChurchAn online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real, live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church, so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html

I pray the Lord that He will lead your path Away from the temptations all around. I pray that when temptation lingers near, The Lord will lead you not into its reach. But if temptation grabs you as you pass, I pray the Lord that you will struggle free. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.This chapel service is now complete.

Everything here is in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction, except verses from the Revised Standard Version Bible (RSV), which are copyrighted and used by permission.

WelcomeWelcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

InvocationO Lord, we come together in Your name,And as You promised, we know You are here.AND SO WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS,AND PRAY THAT YOU FIND PLEASURE HERE WITH US,AS WE, YOUR LOVING CHILDREN WORSHIP YOU.

We now invite You to reveal Yourself,And share with us Your presence, openly,

FOR YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT WE DESIRE,AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE, WE GIVE TO YOU.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on Matthew 6:9-13

You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on internetchurchofchrist.org/binaries/lordsprayer2.mp3. This MP3 file, and the text on which it is based, are in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction. As always, permission is granted to link to any of our files.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy catholic church; * The communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.

Amen.

* Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of believers in Christ, not just one particular church.

Featured Segment . . .ExhortationIf it doesn't please the Lord, DON'T DO IT!

A GOOD RULE FOR LIFE . . .

If it doesn't please the Lord, DON'T DO IT!

We have the Holy Spirit within us, right? Holy Spirit will let us know if our thoughts and actions are pleasing to Him. Let Holy Spirit guide us to please Him constantly.

Through the Holy Spirit within us, we have the taken on the mind of Christ. If it is fully developed in us, we like the same things He likes, we feel the same things He feels. This is "advanced Christianity" in its highest form!

"But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16b KJV)

Therefore, we know what pleases Him and what does not.

Since we have given ourselves to Him, and since we know what He likes and what He does not like, then we should always give Him what He likes.

All the way my Saviour leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His faithful mercies, Who through life has been my guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him do dwell; For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me strength for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me, O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, In my Father's house above; When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages: "Jesus led me all the way."

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine hearing my voice as I speak it to you. In this way, the prayer is reactivated, and it the same as if I were actually praying for you at that moment. (Just like television prayers are reactivated when you watch them, although the videotape may have been shot years before.)

Perhaps you are a Christian even now, You go to church and try to do your best, You try to put His teachings in your life, But still you do not feel that He is yours. You do not feel the closeness that you crave. If this is you, then say this prayer with me: * * * O Lord, I want you closer in my life, I want you more to be a part of me. I want the best relationship with you, That anyone on earth could ever have. I know that, "as we give, we shall receive," And so I now do give myself to you, In full completeness, holding nothing back. I'm yours, so you may use me as you will, And take whatever things you want from me. And now that I did give myself to you, I pray that you will give yourself to me, As bridegroom gives himself to his new bride. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

How To Find A Real, Live ChurchAn online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real, live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church, so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html

I pray the Lord that He will lead your path Away from the temptations all around. I pray that when temptation lingers near, The Lord will lead you not into its reach. But if temptation grabs you as you pass, I pray the Lord that you will struggle free. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.This chapel service is now complete.

Welcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

GOD'S WORLD, Given to all people, for all people."Treat Other People As You Would Like To Be Treated."

Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Rev. Bill McGinnis from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free for all to use without restriction.

NOTE: This is the most spectacular four-part arrangement of this music that I have ever heard. I found the music contained within a larger published Bach work, and I converted it faithfully by hand into a MIDI sequence with a brisk tempo and strict, uniform meter, keeping Bach's exact pitches and harmonies. Holy Spirit guided this effort more than any other He has ever done with me. Every note was exactly as He dictated. When you get to Heaven, expect to hear this arrangement being sung by angels. Enjoy!

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow'r are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim - We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs - No thanks to them - abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him Who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is for ever.

InvocationO Lord, we come together in Your name,And as You promised, we know You are here.AND SO WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS,AND PRAY THAT YOU FIND PLEASURE HERE WITH US,AS WE, YOUR LOVING CHILDREN WORSHIP YOU.

We now invite You to reveal Yourself,And share with us Your presence, openly,

FOR YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT WE DESIRE,AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE, WE GIVE TO YOU.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on Matthew 6:9-13

You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on internetchurchofchrist.org/binaries/lordsprayer2.mp3. This MP3 file, and the text on which it is based, are in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction. As always, permission is granted to link to any of our files.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy catholic church; * The communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.

Amen.

* Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of believers in Christ, not just one particular church.

Featured Segment . . .Exhortation: "Give Other People The Benefit Of The Doubt:"

There is an excellent concept called "Benefit Of the Doubt," and it can be defined as, "to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either."Example: "After hearing his explanation, I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt."

This fits very nicely with The Golden Rule ("Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated"): You like to receive the benefit of the doubt, so therefore you should give other people the benefit of the doubt.

Other Examples: In American law, the jury must find the defendant to be guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" before it can convict him of a crime. In the English sport of Cricket, this principle is employed by umpires in cases of uncertainty concerning a batsman possibly being out, in which the decision must be in the batsman's favour.

So when somebody is accused of doing something wrong, you should immediately think, "I doubt that he would do that."

And when somebody actually does something wrong, you should immediately think, "Maybe he had a good reason to do that."

And if somebody actually does something wrong to you without a good reason, you should immediately think, "I might have done the very same thing if I were in his position. If so, I would like to be forgiven. Therefore, I forgive him."

All the way my Saviour leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His faithful mercies, Who through life has been my guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him do dwell; For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me strength for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me, O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, In my Father's house above; When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages: "Jesus led me all the way."

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine hearing my voice as I speak it to you. In this way, the prayer is reactivated, and it the same as if I were actually praying for you at that moment. (Just like television prayers are reactivated when you watch them, although the videotape may have been shot years before.)

Perhaps you are a Christian even now, You go to church and try to do your best, You try to put His teachings in your life, But still you do not feel that He is yours. You do not feel the closeness that you crave. If this is you, then say this prayer with me: * * * O Lord, I want you closer in my life, I want you more to be a part of me. I want the best relationship with you, That anyone on earth could ever have. I know that, "as we give, we shall receive," And so I now do give myself to you, In full completeness, holding nothing back. I'm yours, so you may use me as you will, And take whatever things you want from me. And now that I did give myself to you, I pray that you will give yourself to me, As bridegroom gives himself to his new bride. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

How To Find A Real, Live ChurchAn online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real, live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church, so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html

I pray the Lord that He will lead your path Away from the temptations all around. I pray that when temptation lingers near, The Lord will lead you not into its reach. But if temptation grabs you as you pass, I pray the Lord that you will struggle free. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.This chapel service is now complete.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

We, The People Of The United States Of America, Have The Legitimate Authority And Responsibility To Govern Ourselves,Free From Domination By The Neo-Conservatives And Their Deregulated Corporate Friends.

Every American receives a legitimate inheritance, handed down by those who lived and died here before us; and that inheritance is our Government, as set forth by our Constitution. This Constitution gives to each American the exact same rights and protections it gives to every other American, including an equal share in the power of Government.The American People of an earlier time created this Government, and they clearly announced its purposes and objectives . . .

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." - Preamble to the United States Constitution

And we, the American People today, are the "Posterity" mentioned above by the Founders. We have now inherited the authority and responsibility to maintain this Government according to the specifications established by the Constitution. This authority does not belong to any King or any Upper Class, or Nobility, or Corporations, or Religious Authorities, or Rich People, or Well-Educated People, or Elected Politicians or any other special person or group.The American People are the sovereign power. We are self-governing. Acting through our Government, under the Constitution, we can make or modify any or all of the rules by which our economy and our country operate. We make the laws; and we can unmake them. We create the corporations; and we can un-create them. We have allowed some people to accumulate disproportionate wealth and power; and we can disallow it. We even have the power to change the Constitution, following the procedures set forth in the Constitution for its own amendment. Our Government is a Democracy; it is ours. And it belongs equally to all of us.

I hope and pray that We The People will be strong enough, and smart enough, and diligent enough to take back this wonderful gift we have inherited, and not let it be soiled and corrupted any further by this misguided band of Neo-Conservatives who think it now belongs to them alone.

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

# # #

This Document is in the Public Domain, free for everyone to copy and use and modify any way they choose.

There is an excellent concept called "Benefit Of the Doubt," and it can be defined as, "to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either."

Example: "After hearing his explanation, I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt."

This fits very nicely with The Golden Rule ("Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated"): You like to receive the benefit of the doubt, so therefore you should give other people the benefit of the doubt.

Other Examples: In American law, the jury must find the defendant to be guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" before it can convict him of a crime. In the English sport of Cricket, this principle is employed by umpires in cases of uncertainty concerning a batsman possibly being out, in which the decision must be in the batsman's favour.

So when somebody is accused of doing something wrong, you should immediately think, "I doubt that he would do that."

And when somebody actually does something wrong, you should immediately think, "Maybe he had a good reason to do that."

And if somebody actually does something wrong to you without a good reason, you should immediately think, "I might have done the very same thing if I were in his position. If so, I would like to be forgiven. Therefore, I forgive him."

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord. May God help us all.

Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org

All of our original content on all of our web pages is in the Public Domain. You may link to these pages by any means you choose, including "framing."

NOTE: This text version shown here has not been authorized by the copyright owners, but it is being released independently, in the Public Interest, with authorization provided under the "Fair Use" copyright exceptions as shown at => http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107

It has among the lowest tax burdens of any major country: fewer than 2 percent of the people pay any taxes. Government is limited, so that burdensome regulations never kill jobs.

This society embraces traditional religious values and a conservative sensibility. Nobody minds school prayer, same-sex marriage isn.t imaginable, and criminals are never coddled.

The budget priority is a strong military, the nation.s most respected institution. When generals decide on a policy for, say, Afghanistan, politicians defer to them. Citizens are deeply patriotic, and nobody burns flags.

So what is this Republican Eden, this Utopia? Why, it.s Pakistan.

Now obviously Sarah Palin and John Boehner don.t intend to turn Washington into Islamabad-on-the-Potomac. And they are right that long-term budget issues do need to be addressed. But when many Republicans insist on .starving the beast. of government, cutting taxes, regulations and social services . slashing everything but the military . well, those are steps toward Pakistan.

The United States is, of course, in no danger of actually becoming Pakistan, any more than we.re going to become Sweden at the other extreme. But as America has become more unequal, as we cut off government lifelines to the neediest Americans, as half of states plan to cut spending on higher education this year, let.s be clear about our direction . and about the turnaround that a Republican budget victory would represent.

The long trajectory of history has been for governments to take on more responsibilities, and for citizens to pay more taxes. Now we.re at a turning point, with Republicans arguing that we need to reverse course.

I spend a fair amount of time reporting in developing countries, from Congo to Colombia. They.re typically characterized by minimal taxes, high levels of inequality, free-wheeling businesses and high military expenditures. Any of that ring a bell?

In Latin American, African or Asian countries, I sometimes see shiny tanks and fighter aircraft . but schools that have trouble paying teachers. Sound familiar? And the upshot is societies that are quasi-feudal, stratified by social class, held back by a limited sense of common purpose.

Maybe that.s why the growing inequality in America pains me so. The wealthiest 1 percent of Americans already have a greater net worth than the bottom 90 percent, based on Federal Reserve data. Yet two-thirds of the proposed Republican budget cuts would harm low- and moderate-income families, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

For a country that prides itself on social mobility, where higher education has been a traditional escalator to a better life, cutbacks in access to college are a scandal. G. Jeremiah Ryan, the president of Bergen Community College in New Jersey, tells me that when the college was set up in 1965, two-thirds of the cost of running it was supposed to be covered by state and local governments, and one-third by students. The reality today, Dr. Ryan says, is that students bear 78 percent of the cost.

In fairness to Pakistan and Congo, wealthy people in such countries manage to live surprisingly comfortably. Instead of financing education with taxes, these feudal elites send their children to elite private schools. Instead of financing a reliable police force, they hire bodyguards. Instead of supporting a modern health care system for their nation, they fly to hospitals in London.

You can tell the extreme cases by the hum of diesel generators at night. Instead of paying taxes for a reliable electrical grid, each wealthy family installs its own powerful generator to run the lights and air-conditioning. It.s noisy and stinks, but at least you don.t have to pay for the poor.

I.ve always made fun of these countries, but now I see echoes of that pattern of privatization of public services in America. Police budgets are being cut, but the wealthy take refuge in gated communities with private security guards. Their children are spared the impact of budget cuts at public schools and state universities because they attend private institutions.

Mass transit is underfinanced; after all, Mercedes-Benzes and private jets are much more practical, no? And maybe the most striking push for reversal of historical trends is the Republican plan to dismantle Medicare as a universal health care program for the elderly.

There.s even an echo of the electrical generator problem. More and more affluent homes in the suburbs are buying electrical generators to use when the power fails.

So in this season.s political debates, let.s remember that we.re arguing not only over debt ceilings and budgets, but about larger questions of our vision for our country. Do we really aspire to take a step in the direction of a low-tax laissez-faire Eden ...like Pakistan?

I invite you to comment on this column on my blog, On the Ground. Please also join me on Facebook, watch my YouTube videos and follow me on Twitter.

A version of this op-ed appeared in print on June 5, 2011, on page WK9 of the New York edition with the headline: Our Fantasy Nation?..

NOTE: This text version shown here has not been authorized by the copyright owners, but it is being released independently, in the Public Interest, with authorization provided under the "Fair Use" copyright exceptions as shown at => http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107

Everything here is in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction, except verses from the Revised Standard Version Bible (RSV), which are copyrighted and used by permission.

WelcomeWelcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

GOD'S WORLD, Given to all people, for all people."Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."

Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Rev. Bill McGinnis from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free for all to use without restriction.

NOTE: This is the most spectacular four-part arrangement of this music that I have ever heard. I found the music contained within a larger published Bach work, and I converted it faithfully by hand into a MIDI sequence with a brisk tempo and strict, uniform meter, keeping Bach's exact pitches and harmonies. Holy Spirit guided this effort more than any other He has ever done with me. Every note was exactly as He dictated. When you get to Heaven, expect to hear this arrangement being sung by angels. Enjoy!

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow'r are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim - We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs - No thanks to them - abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him Who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is for ever.

InvocationO Lord, we come together in Your name,And as You promised, we know You are here.AND SO WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS,AND PRAY THAT YOU FIND PLEASURE HERE WITH US,AS WE, YOUR LOVING CHILDREN WORSHIP YOU.

We now invite You to reveal Yourself,And share with us Your presence, openly,

FOR YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT WE DESIRE,AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE, WE GIVE TO YOU.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on Matthew 6:9-13

You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on internetchurchofchrist.org/binaries/lordsprayer2.mp3. This MP3 file, and the text on which it is based, are in the Public Domain, free for all people to use without restriction. As always, permission is granted to link to any of our files.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy catholic church; * The communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.

Amen.

* Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of believers in Christ, not just one particular church.

This page was created by ChristianSongSearch.net, a service of http://LoveAllPeople.org, Rev. Bill McGinnis, DirectorHello to you!Here is our current SongSearch list of "Favorite Christian Songs," released on June 4, 2011.

There is one SongSearch page for each song listed. And From that one page you can do all of these things: Watch videos of that song and see photos; read Wikipedia article(s) about that song; shop Amazon.com for related products; search Google Books for books containing information about that song, including FREE Public domain books, some with sheet music you can legally copy; search the web and download/play MIDI music files and MP3's of that song ; find the chords and lyrics to play it yourself; read the news and blogs for items about it; plus more. Enjoy!

All the way my Saviour leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His faithful mercies, Who through life has been my guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him do dwell; For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me strength for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me, O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, In my Father's house above; When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages: "Jesus led me all the way."

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine hearing my voice as I speak it to you. In this way, the prayer is reactivated, and it the same as if I were actually praying for you at that moment. (Just like television prayers are reactivated when you watch them, although the videotape may have been shot years before.)

Perhaps you are a Christian even now, You go to church and try to do your best, You try to put His teachings in your life, But still you do not feel that He is yours. You do not feel the closeness that you crave. If this is you, then say this prayer with me: * * * O Lord, I want you closer in my life, I want you more to be a part of me. I want the best relationship with you, That anyone on earth could ever have. I know that, "as we give, we shall receive," And so I now do give myself to you, In full completeness, holding nothing back. I'm yours, so you may use me as you will, And take whatever things you want from me. And now that I did give myself to you, I pray that you will give yourself to me, As bridegroom gives himself to his new bride. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

I pray the Lord that He will lead your path Away from the temptations all around. I pray that when temptation lingers near, The Lord will lead you not into its reach. But if temptation grabs you as you pass, I pray the Lord that you will struggle free. In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.This chapel service is now complete.